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Show **870.] DR. J. MURIE ON SAIGA TARTARICA. 451 suppose that the birds wandered to us from there. I have never heard of the Gold-crest occurring in China; but this will he sufficient authority to enable us to enrol it on our list. The species is very close to the European Regulus cristatus ; but Bonaparte separates it as R. japonicus. It bas purer white on the lores and round the eye, and the hind neck is strongly tinged with grey. On the 20th October we landed at Shanghai, and so finished our cruise to Peking and our glimpse at the Northern fauna. 9. O n the Saiga Antelope, Saiga tartarica (Pall.). By J A M ES M U R I E , M.D., F.L.S., F.G.S., & c , late Prosector to the Society. In the twelfth fasciculus of the ' Spicilegia Zoologica' of P. S. Pallas (published at Berlin in 1777-that is, nearly a hundred years ago) will be found not only an erudite historical and descriptive account of the Antilope saiga, considered in its external bearings, but also a very accurate resume of all the anatomical structures of value as regards classification. The author likewise has figured the skull, stomach, and gall-bladder. Pallas's observations, to m y mind, contain the kernel of all that is useful for zoological purposes*. As, however, there still remain points that seem worthy of investigation, I proceed forthwith to tender, as a communication, notes upon two specimens which have come under m y inspection. I may crave indulgence, under these circumstances, as, if some of the data I bring forward are not entirely new, they are doubtless not generally known. A benefit towards science may result from recognizing the correctness of Pallas's statements ; whilst a fresh investigation, entering more into detail in some structures, at least admits of a reconsideration of the animal's affinities. For the latter reason, and because a fuller description of this recent but ancient-like type of mammal may serve as a basis of future comparison to palaeontologists as well as zoologists, I have written a lengthy account of the skeleton, which the naturalist above referred to briefly sketches rather than describes. The skull, in particular, offers several points of departure from the Antilopidae, among which the Saiga is classed ; and thus the taxonomic bearings of such aberrance is a factor of some importance. I. THE SKELETON. 1. Spine and adventitious Bones. (A) Vertebrce.-The spinal column consists of 7 cervical, 13 dorsal, 6 lumbar, 4 united sacral, and 12 caudal elements, in all equal * Glitsch, I may mention, recently has usefully supplemented Pallas in a paper on the Saiga, chiefly devoted to its geographical distribution (vide Bull. Soc. Hist, Nat. Moscou, 1865, pp. 207-245). |
